Syria open to Hezbollah meet if 'in national interest': FM

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said Thursday that Damascus is open to meeting Hezbollah if such contact serves the national interest, while stressing the issue was not discussed during talks with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. Speaking after meeting Berri at his Ain el-Tineh residence in the Lebanese capital, al-Shaibani stated: "If meeting Hezbollah serves the national interest, we are open to it." He noted the matter was not raised during the meeting, adding that discussions instead focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in ways that serve both countries, according to Lebanon's National News Agency.

Presidential overture

Al-Shaibani's remarks came after Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa said in a televised interview with Al Mashhad TV that Damascus is open to dialogue with all Lebanese parties, including Hezbollah. "We will sit at the same table with Hezbollah if it serves the interests of Syria and Lebanon," al-Sharaa said. Addressing the Lebanese public, he added: "We have enough courage that, if we wanted to enter a war, we would say so openly."

Bilateral reset

Al-Sharaa stressed that Damascus intends "nothing but good and a peaceful life for our people in Lebanon," emphasizing that Syria's role would be "purely positive" and guided by the shared interests of both nations. Al-Shaibani arrived in Beirut earlier Thursday on an official visit to meet several Lebanese officials as Syria and Lebanon seek to open a new chapter in bilateral relations under Syria's new leadership. The meetings aim to move beyond decades of strained relations by promoting a partnership based on mutual respect for sovereignty and stronger economic cooperation.